Wireless communication systems, interfacing devices, communication methods, methods of interfacing with an interrogator, and methods of operating an interrogator

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes wireless communication systems, interfacing devices, communication methods, methods of interfacing with an interrogator, and methods of operating an interrogator. According to one embodiment, a wireless communication system includes a remote communication device; an interrogator configured to output a forward link wireless communication and receive a reply link wireless communication from the remote communication device responsive to the forward link wireless communication; and an interface device configured to interface with the interrogator using a wireless medium, the interrogator being configured to be controlled by the interface device .

RELATED REISSUE APPLICATIONS

More than one reissue application has been filed for the reissue of U.S.Pat. No. 6,420,961. The reissue applications are a continuation reissueapplication Ser. No. 11/858,291, filed Sep. 20, 2007, a continuationreissue application Ser. No. 11/858,297, filed Sep. 20, 2007, acontinuation reissue application Ser. No. 11/858,309, filed Sep. 20,2007, another continuation reissue application Ser. No. 11/858,316,filed Sep. 20, 2007, a divisional reissue application Ser. No.11/873,286, filed Oct. 16, 2007, and the present continuation reissueapplication.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to wireless communication systems,interfacing devices, communication methods, methods of interfacing withan interrogator, and methods of operating an interrogator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic identification systems typically comprise two devices whichare configured to communicate with one another. Preferred configurationsof the electronic identification systems are operable to provide suchcommunications via a wireless medium.

One such configuration is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/705,043, filed Aug. 29, 1996, now U.S. pat. No. 6,130,602, issuedOct. 10, 2000, assigned to the assignee of the present application, andincorporated herein by reference. This application discloses the use ofa radio frequency (RF) communication system including communicationdevices. The disclosed communication devices include an interrogator anda remote transponder, such as a tag or card.

Such communication systems can be used in various applications such asidentification configurations. The interrogator is configured to outputa polling or interrogation signal which may comprise a radio frequencysignal including a predefined code. The remote transponders of such acommunication system are operable to transmit an identification signalresponsive to receiving an appropriate polling or interrogation signal.

More specifically, the appropriate transponders are configured torecognize the predefined code. The transponders receiving the codesubsequently output a particular identification signal which isassociated with the transmitting transponder. Following transmission ofthe polling signal, the interrogator is configured to receive theidentification signals enabling detection of the presence ofcorresponding transponders.

Such communication, systems are useable in identification applicationssuch as inventory or other object monitoring. For example, a remoteidentification device is attached to an object of interest. Responsiveto receiving the appropriate polling signal, the identification deviceis equipped to output an identification signal. Generating theidentification signal identifies the presence or location of theidentification device and the article or object attached thereto.

Often it is desirable to access information which may be stored withinthe interrogator unit. Such information can be generated responsive tocommunications with the remote devices. The information can comprisequalitative as well as quantitative information regarding communicationswith remote transponders. In addition, it may be desirable to modify theinterrogator after a period of time. It may be desired to changeperformance or operational characteristics of the interrogator. However,in numerous applications, access to the interrogator may be difficult orinvolve a considerable amount of time. Therefore, a need exists toprovide improved access to interrogators of electronic identificationsystems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes wireless communication systems,interfacing devices, communication methods, methods of interfacing withan interrogator, and methods of operating an interrogator.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a wirelesscommunication system is provided. The wireless communication system ifincludes at least one remote communication device, and an interrogatorconfigured to output a forward link wireless communication and receive areply link wireless communication from the remote communication deviceresponsive to the forward link wireless communication. The systemadditionally includes an interface device configured to interface withthe interrogator using a wireless medium. The interrogator is configuredto receive control information from the interface device.

According to some aspects of the invention, the interrogator isconfigured to operate as a slave device and master device depending uponthe mode of operation of the communications system. The interrogatoroperates as a master during normal modes of operation, and as a slaveduring maintenance modes of operation.

A communication method according to another aspect of the presentinvention includes providing an interrogator and at least one remotecommunication device, and communicating intermediate the interrogatorand the remote communication device. The method also includes providingan interface device, reading control information from the interfacedevice using the interrogator, and communicating data intermediate theinterrogator and the interface device responsive to the controlinformation.

In one embodiment, an RFID interrogator comprises transmit and receivecircuitry operable to communicate with a plurality of RFID tags. Aprocessor coupled to the transmit and receive circuitry is operable tocontrol communication with the plurality of RFID tags. A first memorylocation stores a first program for the processor to use to controlcommunication with a first plurality of RFID tags and to uniquelyidentify each of the first plurality of RFID tags. A second memorylocation is operable to receive a software code update to reconfigurefunctionality of the interrogator. Communication power of theinterrogator is adjustable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention .are described below withreference to the following accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative diagram illustrating one application of acommunication system which embodies the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary communication system.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a radio frequency remote communication deviceaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an employee badge according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a circuit schematic of a transponder included in the remotecommunication device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of an interrogator of thecommunication system.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating one embodiment of aninterface device communicating with an interrogator of the communicationsystem.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of an interface devicecommunicating with the interrogator.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary operations of theinterrogator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of theconstitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progressof science and useful arts”(Article 1, Section 8).

Referring to FIG. 1, an interrogator 26 of a communication system isprovided within a fuel dispenser. The illustrated application of thecommunication system is exemplary. Interrogator 26 can be utilized tomonitor the presence of users accessing product from the dispenser via awireless link as discussed below. Such users would be equipped withremote communication devices (not shown in FIG. 1) which are configuredto communicate with interrogator 26.

Given the implementation of interrogator 26 within the dispenserassembly, a communication system according to the present invention ispreferably utilized to conveniently interface with interrogator 26. Inparticular, data may be communicated via a wireless link intermediateinterface devices (also not shown in FIG. 1) and interrogator 26.

FIG. 2 illustrates a wireless communication system 10 embodying theinvention. Communication system 10 comprises an electronicidentification system in the embodiment described herein. Communicationsystem 10 can be utilized in the dispenser application described aboveas well as other communication applications.

The depicted communication system 10 includes an interrogator 26.Communication system 10 further includes an electronic wireless remotecommunications device 12, such as the device disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/705,043, filed Aug. 29, 1996. Devices 12 can bereferred to as radio frequency identification devices (RFID) or remoteintelligent communication (RIC) devices. Plural remote communicationdevices 12 typically communicate with interrogator 26 although only onesuch device 12 is illustrated in FIG. 2. In one embodiment, wirelessremote communications device 12 comprises a wireless identificationdevice such as the MicroStamp (™) integrated circuit available fromMicron Communications, Inc., 3176 S. Denver Way, Boise, Id. 83705. Sucha remote communication device 12 can be referred to as a tag or card asillustrated below.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, multiple communications devices12 can be employed; however, there is typically no communication betweenmultiple devices 12. Instead, the multiple communications devices 12communicate with interrogator 26. Multiple communications devices 12 canbe used in the same field of an interrogator 26 (i.e., withincommunications range of interrogator 26). Similarly, multipleinterrogators 26 can be in proximity to one or more of devices 12.

The above described system 10 is advantageous over prior art devicesthat utilize magnetic field effect systems because, with system 10, agreater range can be achieved, and more information can be obtained(instead of just an identification number). As a result, such a system10 can be used, for example, to monitor large warehouse inventorieshaving many unique products needing individual discrimination todetermine the presence of particular items within a large lot of taggedproducts.

Communication system 10 of the present invention also includes aninterface device 14. Interface device 14 is also referred to as amaintenance or calibration device or tag. Interrogator 26 is configuredto communicate with one or more remote communication devices 12 during anormal mode of operation. As described in detail below, interrogator 26is configured to communicate with interface device 14 during maintenanceand/or calibration modes of operation.

Communications during the normal mode of operation typically includecommunicating data of a first clearance level intermediate devices 12and interrogator 26. Such data can include tag or device 12identification information, associated product information (i.e., dataregarding the product to which the tag is attached), etc.

Communications during the maintenance mode typically providecommunications of data having a clearance level higher than first leveldata. The maintenance mode communications are provided intermediateinterrogator 26 and interface device 14. Exemplary higher level dataincludes software update code and update hardware configurationinformation read from interface device 14 into interrogator 26. Suchupdate data can be utilized to reconfigure interrogator 26.

Other exemplary higher level information includes operational profileinformation (e.g., temperature profile) or status information ofinterrogator 26, and log files including data regarding communicationsof remote communication devices 12 with interrogator 26. Higher levelinformation can additionally include RF power information correspondingto wireless communications of system 10. Further, interface device 14can write or output command or control information to interrogator 26 tooperate or stimulate interrogator 26. Interrogator 26 can read thecontrol information and thereafter communicate data with device 14.

Remote communication device 12 and interface device 14 are configured tointerface with interrogator 26 using a wireless medium in oneembodiment. Interrogator 26 communicates with the communication device12 and interface device 14 via an electromagnetic link, such as an RFlink (e.g., at microwave frequencies) in the described embodiment.Interrogator 26 is configured to output forward link wirelesscommunications 27. Further, interrogator 26 is operable to receive replylink wireless communications 29 from devices 12, 14 responsive tooutputting of forward link communication 27.

In particular, interrogator unit 26 includes a plurality of antennas X1,R1, as well as transmitting and receiving circuitry, similar to thatimplemented in devices 12 described below. Antenna X1 comprises atransmit antenna and antenna R1 comprises a receive antenna individuallyconnected to interrogator 26. In operation, interrogator 26 transmitsthe interrogation signal or forward link command 27 via antenna X1.Communication device 12 and interface device 14 are operable to receivethe incoming forward link signal. Upon receiving signal 27,communication device 12 and interface device 14 are operable to respondby generating and transmitting a responsive reply or return signal 29.The interrogator 26 is described in greater detail below.

In one embodiment, the responsive signal 29 is encoded with informationthat uniquely identifies, or labels the particular device 12, 14 that istransmitting, so as to identify any object or person with whichcommunications device 12 is associated, or identify device 14 as amaintenance device.

The reply link wireless communication can be outputted by remotecommunication device 12 or interface device 14 according to theoperational mode of communication system 10. In the describedembodiment, remote device 12 and interface device 14 are configured tooutput an identification signal within reply link communications 29responsive to receiving a forward link wireless communication 27.Interrogator 26 is configured to receive and recognize theidentification signal within the return or reply link communication 29.The identification signal can be utilized to identify interface device14 as a maintenance or calibration device, or identify the particulartransmitting communication device 12.

Interrogator 26 is configured to communicate with remote device 12 innormal operational modes. Typical radio frequency communications occurintermediate interrogator 26 and remote communication devices 12 for usein identification systems and product monitoring as exemplaryapplications.

Responsive to identifying a responding device as an interface device 14,interrogator 26 is configured to operate in a maintenance or calibrationmode of operation. Operation of interrogator 26 in themaintenance/calibration mode of operation provides interfacing ofinterrogator 26 with interface device 14. In this mode, higher leveldata can be communicated intermediate interface device 14 andinterrogator 26. Interface device 14 is configured to load data intointerrogator 26 and retrieve data from interrogator 26 using a wirelessmedium. Wireless communications of devices 12, 14 with interrogator 26occur utilizing radio frequency (RF) configurations in the describedembodiment of the invention. Other configurations such as infrared,acoustic, etc. are possible.

The maintenance/calibration mode of operation can be defined as amaster/slave relationship wherein interface device 14 operates as themaster and interrogator 26 operates as a slave device. During normalmodes of operation, interrogator 26 typically operates as the masterdevice while remote communication devices 12 operate as slave devices.

Referring to FIG. 3, one embodiment of remote communication device 12 isillustrated. The depicted communication device 12 includes a transponder16 having a receiver and a transmitter as described below. Communicationdevice 12 further includes a power source 18 connected to transponder 16to supply operational power to transponder 16.

In the illustrated embodiment, transponder 16 is in the form of anintegrated circuit. However, in alternative embodiments, all of thecircuitry of transponder 16 is not necessarily all included in a singleintegrated circuit.

Power source 18 is a thin film battery in the illustrated embodiment,however, in alternative embodiments, other forms of power sources can beemployed. If the power source 18 is a battery, the battery can take anysuitable form. Preferably, the battery type will be selected dependingon weight, size, and life requirements for a particular application. Inone embodiment, battery 18 is a thin profile button-type cell forming asmall, thin energy cell more commonly utilized in watches and smallelectronic devices requiring a thin profile. A conventional button-typecell has a pair of electrodes, an anode formed by one face and a cathodeformed by an opposite face. In an alternative embodiment, the batterycomprises a series connected pair of button type cells.

Communications device 12 further includes at least one antenna connectedto transponder 16 for wireless transmission and reception. In theillustrated embodiment, communication device 12 includes at least onereceive antenna 44 connected to transponder 16 for radio frequencyreception by transponder 16, and at least one transmit antenna 46connected to transponder 16 for radio frequency transmission bytransponder 16. The described receive antenna 44 comprises a loopantenna and the transmit antenna 46 comprises a dipole.

The communications device 12 can be included in any appropriate housingor packaging. FIG. 3 shows but one example of a housing in the form of aminiature housing 11 encasing the device 12 to define a tag which can besupported by an object (e.g., hung from an object, affixed to an object,etc.).

Referring to FIG. 4, an alternative housing is illustrated. FIG. 4 showsa housing in the form of a card 13. Card 13 preferably comprises plasticor other suitable material. Plastic card 13 houses communication device12 to define an employee identification badge including thecommunication device 12. In one embodiment, the front face of card 13has visual identification features such as an employee photograph or afingerprint in addition to identifying text.

Although two particular types of housings have been disclosed, thecommunications device 12 can be included in any appropriate housing.Communications device 12 is preferably of a small size that lends itselfto applications employing small housings, such as cards, miniature tags,etc. Larger housings can also be employed. The communications device 12,provided in any appropriate housing, can be supported from or attachedto an object in any desired manner.

FIG. 5 is a high level circuit schematic of the transponder 16 utilizedin the devices of FIGS. 2-4. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5,transponder 16 is implemented within a monolithic integrated circuit 19.In particular, the integrated circuit preferably comprises a smalloutline integrated circuit (SOIC) package. In the illustratedembodiment, the integrated circuit 19 comprises a single die, having asize of 209×116 mils², including a receiver 30, transmitter 32,microcontroller or microprocessor 34, a wake up timer and logic circuit36, a clock recovery and data recovery circuit 38, and a bias voltageand current generator 42. Receiver 30 and transmitter 32 comprisewireless communication circuitry configured to communicate wirelesssignals.

In one embodiment, the communications devices 12 switch between a“sleep” mode of operation, and higher power modes to conserve energy andextend battery life during periods of time where no interrogation signal27 is received by devices 12, using the wake up timer and logiccircuitry 36.

In one embodiment, a spread spectrum processing circuit 40 is includedin transponder 16. In this embodiment, signals transmitted and receivedby interrogator 26, and transmitted and received by communicationsdevice 12 and interface device 14 are modulated spread spectrum signals.Many modulation techniques minimize required transmission bandwidth.However, the spread spectrum modulation techniques employed in theillustrated embodiment require a transmission bandwidth that is up toseveral orders of magnitude greater than the minimum required signalbandwidth. Although spread spectrum modulation techniques are bandwidthinefficient in single user applications, they are advantageous wherethere are multiple users, as is the case with the preferred radiofrequency identification communication system 10 of the presentinvention.

The spread spectrum modulation technique of the illustrated embodimentis advantageous because the interrogator signal can be distinguishedfrom other signals (e.g., radar, microwave ovens, etc.) operating at thesame frequency. The spread spectrum signals transmitted bycommunications device 12, interface device 14 and interrogator 26 arepseudo random and have noise-like properties when compared with thedigital command or reply. The illustrated embodiment employs directsequence spread spectrum (DSSS) modulation.

In operations, interrogator 26 sends out a command that is spread arounda certain center frequency (e.g, 2.44 GHz). After the interrogatortransmits the command, and is expecting a response, the interrogatorswitches to a CW mode (continuous wave mode) for backscattercommunications. In the continuous wave mode, interrogator 26 does nottransmit any information. Instead, the interrogator just transmits 2.44GHz radiation. In other words, the signal transmitted by theinterrogator is not modulated. After communications device 12 orinterface device 14 receives the forward link communication frominterrogator 26, communications device 12 or interface device 14 (ifpresent) processes the command.

If communications device 12 and\or interface device 14 is in abackscatter mode, it alternately reflects or does not reflect the signalfrom the interrogator to send its reply. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, two halves of a dipole antenna are either shorted togetheror isolated from each other to send a reply. Alternatively, devices 12,14 can communicate in an active mode.

In one embodiment, the clock for transponder 16 is extracted from theincoming message itself by clock recovery and data recovery circuitry38. This clock is recovered from the incoming message, and used fortiming for microcontroller 34 and all the other clock circuitry on thechip, and also for deriving the transmitter carrier or the subcarrier,depending on whether the transmitter is operating in active mode orbackscatter mode.

In addition to recovering a clock, the clock recovery and data recoverycircuit 38 also performs data recovery on valid incoming signals. Thevalid spread spectrum incoming signal is passed through the spreadspectrum processing circuit 40, and the spread spectrum processingcircuit 40 extracts the actual ones and zeros of data from the incomingsignal. More particularly, the spread spectrum processing circuit 40takes chips from the spread spectrum signal, and reduces individualthirty-one chip sections down to a bit of one or zero, which is passedto microcontroller 34.

Microcontroller 34 includes a serial processor, or I/O facility thatreceives the bits from spread spectrum processing circuit 40. Themicrocontroller 34 performs further error correction. More particularly,a modified hamming code is employed, where each eight bits of data isaccompanied by five check bits used by the microcontroller 34 for errorcorrection. Microcontroller 34 further includes a memory, and afterperforming the data correction, microcontroller 34 stores bytes of thedata bits in memory. These bytes contain a command sent by theinterrogator 26. Microcontroller 34 is configured to respond to thecommand.

For example, interrogator 26 may send a command requesting that anycommunication device 12 or interface device 14 in the field respond withthe device's identification number. Status information can also bereturned to interrogator 26 from communication devices 12. Interrogator26 can be configured to enter the maintenance or calibration moderesponsive to receiving a reply from interface device 14.

Communications from interrogator 26 (i.e., forward link communications)and devices 12, 14 (i.e., return link communications) have a similarformat. More particularly, the forward and reply communications beginwith a preamble, followed by a Barker or start code, followed by actualdata in the described embodiment. The incoming forward link message andoutgoing reply preferably also include a check sum or redundancy code sothat transponder 16 or interrogator 26 can confirm receipt of the entiremessage or reply.

Communication devices 12 typically include an identification sequenceidentifying the particular tag or device 12 sending the reply. Suchimplements the identification operations of communication system 10.Interface devices 14 can include an identifying sequence or signal whichspecifies the communicating device as an interface maintenance and/orcalibration tag 14. Following identification of an interface device 14,interrogator 26 can be configured to enter the calibration ormaintenance mode of operation.

After sending a command, interrogator 26 sends a continuous unmodulatedRF signal with an approximate frequency of 2.44 GHz. Return link datacan be Differential Phase Shift Key (DPSK) modulated onto a square wavesubcarrier with a frequency of approximately 600 kHz (e.g., 596.1 kHz inone embodiment). A data 0 corresponds to one phase and data 1corresponds to another, shifted 180 degrees from the first phase. Thesubcarrier is used to modulate antenna impedance of transponder 16. Fora simple dipole, a switch between the two halves of the dipole antennais opened and closed. When the switch is closed, the antenna becomes theelectrical equivalent of a single half-wavelength antenna that reflectsa portion of the power being transmitted by the interrogator. When theswitch is open, the antenna becomes the electrical equivalent of twoquarter-wavelength antennas that reflect very little of the powertransmitted by the interrogator. In one embodiment, the dipole antennais a printed microstrip half wavelength dipole antenna.

Referring to FIG. 6, one embodiment of interrogator 26 is illustrated.The depicted interrogator 26 includes a microcontroller 70, a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA) 72, and RF section 74. In the depictedembodiment, microcontroller 70 comprises a MC68340 microcontrolleravailable from Motorola, Inc. FPGA 72 comprises a XC4028 deviceavailable from Xilinx, Inc.

RAM 76, EPROM 78 and flash memory 80 are coupled with microcontroller 70in the depicted embodiment. Microcontroller 70 is configured to accessan applications program for controlling the interrogator 26 andinterpreting responses from devices 12, 14. The processor ofmicrocontroller 70 is configured to control communication operationswith remote communication devices 12 during normal modes of operation.The applications program can also include a library of radio frequencyidentification device applications or functions. These functions effectradio frequency communications between interrogator 26 andcommunications device 12 and interface device 14.

Plural analog to digital converters 82, 84 are implemented intermediateFPGA 72 and RF section 74 for both in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q)communication lines. Plural RF transmit (TX) ports 86 and plural RFreceive (RX) ports 88 are coupled with RF section 74 in the depictedembodiment. Providing plural TX ports and RX ports 86, 88 enablesinterrogator 26 to minimize the effects of multipath when communicatingwith plural remote communication devices 12, 14.

RF section 74 is configured to handle wireless (e.g., radio frequency)communications with interface device 14 and remote communication devices12. Analog to digital converters 82, 84 provide received analog RFsignals into a digital format for application to FPGA 72. Digitalsignals output from FPGA 72 are converted to RF signals by RF section74.

FPGA 72 is configured to format forward link communications receivedfrom microcontroller 70 into a proper format for application to RFsection 74 for communication. Further, FPGA 72 is configured todemodulate reply link communications received from remote communicationdevices 12 and interface 14 via RF section 74. Such demodulated replylink signals can be applied to microcontroller 70 for processing. Anadditional connection 85 is provided intermediate FPGA 72 and RF section74. Such can be utilized to transmit phase lock loop (PLL) information,antenna diversity selection information and other necessarycommunication information.

Microcontroller 70 is configured to control operations of interrogator26 including outputting of forward link communications and receivingreply link communications. EPROM 78 is configured to store original codeand settings selected for the particular application of communicationsystem 10. Flash memory 80 is configured to receive software codeupdates forwarded from interface device 14 during maintenance modes ofoperation. Such software updates can include user code in oneembodiment. In addition, hardware updates can be uploaded from interfacedevice 14 to interrogator 26. Such hardware updates can be utilized toreconfigure FPGA 72.

RAM device 76 is configured to store data during operations ofcommunication system 10. Such data can include information regarding orcorresponding to communications with associated remote communicationdevices 12 and status information of interrogator 26 during normal modesof operation. In addition, interrogator 26 can be configured to storeother information regarding communication system 10 operations dependingupon the particular application. Such information can be retrieved andreceived by interface device 14 during maintenance and calibration modesof operation.

Referring to FIG. 7, a first configuration of interface device 14 isshown interfacing with interrogator 26. The depicted interface device 14comprises a remote communication device 12 coupled with digital logic 50and a processing device 52.

Interrogator 26 and interface device 14 are operable to communicate viaa wireless medium (e.g., RF link). In certain embodiments, interrogator26 and remote communication device 12 of interface device 14 areconfigured to communicate using backscatter communications. Integratedcircuit 19 includes a backscatter modulator in one embodiment. Remotecommunication device 12 of device 14 includes a processor and wirelesscommunication circuitry coupled to the processor and configured tocommunicate wireless signals.

Responsive to the reception of a forward link communication frominterrogator 26, transponder of integrated circuit 19 of interfacedevice 14 is configured to output an identification signal within thereply link communication identifying interface device 14. Interrogator26 detects device 14 using the identification signal. Thereafter,communications within communication system 10 can proceed in themaintenance and/or calibration mode of operation. Processing device 52can act as a master to control communication operations betweeninterface device 14 and interrogator 26, and interrogator 26 operates ina slave mode during the maintenance/calibration modes of operation inthe described embodiment.

Digital logic 50 is configured to interface with a variety of remotecommunication device 12 configurations. Digital logic 50 can interfacewith existing tag, stamp, card and other remote communication deviceconfigurations. Interfacing with existing remote communication deviceconfigurations permits the remote communication devices 12 to perform ina similar manner to other remote communication devices 12 within thecommunication systems 10 utilized for identification or othercommunication purposes.

Digital logic 50 receives clock information from transponder ofintegrated circuit 19 via connection 51. A bi-directional serial datapath 53 couples integrated circuit 19 and digital logic 50. Data path 53can be referred to as a digital port. Remote communication device 12utilized within interface device 14 is configured to provide access ofthe clock signal and bi-directional data signal for interfacing withdigital logic 50 and processing device 52.

In the depicted arrangement, processing device 52 comprises a notebookcomputer utilizing a Pentium(TM) processor available from IntelCorporation. Digital logic 50 comprises an interface providingbi-directional communication of data between remote communication device12 and processing device 52. Processing device 52 is coupled with theprocessor of device 12 and is operable to output data to device 12and/or receive data from device 12 and interrogator 26.

Interface device 14 and interrogator 26 are configured to communicatedata therebetween. Depending upon the particular application,communicated data can be tailored to the particular operatingenvironment. In addition, flexibility is permitted wherein software canbe loaded into interrogator 26 using processing device 52 and theassociated RF link intermediate interface device 14 and interrogator 26.

Processing device 52 can be utilized to program commands for operatinginterrogator 26. Interrogator 26 is configured to read higher level datacommands from processing device 52 utilizing data connection 53intermediate processing device 52 and integrated circuit 19 and the RFlink between device 14 and, interrogator 26. In another embodiment, thehigher level data (e.g., software code updates) may be provided usingprocessing device 52 and communicated to interrogator 26 using remotecommunication device 12 of device 14. The higher level data can beloaded into interrogator 26 utilizing the wireless medium or RF link.Such data comprising updated software can include improvements forexisting design configurations. Responsive to commands, outputted fromprocessing device 52 of interface device 14, stored higher level datawithin RAM 76 can be downloaded to and received by interface device 14.Processing device 52 can be configured to store received data frominterrogator 26 for storage, analysis and display.

Processing device 52 comprises a data collector in one embodiment whichis configured to interface with a variety of form factors of the remotecommunication devices (e.g., tags, cards, etc.) 12 via a digital dataport upon device 12. Such enables a given interrogator installation tobe tested and accessed using the specific form factor of remotecommunication device 12 to be utilized in the communication systeminstallation. The remote communication device 12 of interface device 14can be powered utilizing battery power or an external power source.

Referring to FIG. 8, communications of another interface device 14configuration with interrogator 26 are described. The depicted interfacedevice 14 is intended to be a self-contained hand-held maintenance,calibration and monitoring device. Preferably, the depicted interfacedevice 14 is portable for field use.

The illustrated interface device 14 comprises an integrated circuit 19and battery 18 coupled with corresponding circuitry. In particular, suchcorresponding circuitry includes digital logic 55 coupled via a clockconnection 57 and bi-directional data line 59 with integrated circuit19.

A display 54 and memory 56 are additionally coupled with digital logic55. Display 54 can comprise a liquid crystal display and memory 56 cancomprise SRAM memory. Display 54 includes a sixteen character display inthe described embodiment. Display 54 is coupled with wirelesscommunications circuitry of transponder 16 via digital logic 50 and isconfigured to display data for viewing by an operator. Memory 56comprises a 512 kbyte battery backed SRAM in the described embodiment.Memory 56 is operable to store data to be outputted to and/or receiveddata from interrogator 26. A command control 58 is also illustratedcoupled with digital logic 55. An RF power meter 60 is connected with acorresponding RF antenna 62 and transponder of integrated circuit 19.Power meter 60 is configured to monitor the power of wirelesscommunications intermediate interface device 14 and interrogator 26.

The transponder of integrated circuit 19 includes wireless communicationcircuitry configured to communicate wireless signals with interrogator26 as described previously. The wireless communication circuitry of thetransponder is configured to, in a preferred embodiment, output data tointerrogator 26 and receive data from interrogator 26. In otherconfigurations, only unidirectional communications are providedintermediate the transponder of device 14 and interrogator 26. Digitallogic 55 coupled with integrated circuit 19, display 54, memory 56,command control 58, and RF power meter 60 is configured to routecommunications intermediate the appropriate component and thetransponder of integrated circuit 19.

Command control 58 is configured to control the selection of commandsoutputted to interrogator 26. In particular, in the describedembodiment, interrogator 26 is configured to follow a variety ofcommands once the maintenance or calibration mode of operation has beenentered. A user of interface device. 14 can input a desired commandutilizing command control 58. In one embodiment of interface device 14,command control 58 comprises a test number select enabling one hundreddifferent tests or commands to be communicated to interrogator 26.

For example, the user may specify that new software is to be uploaded tointerrogator 26. Following inputting of the command using commandcontrol 58 and transmission to interrogator 26, interrogator 26 isconfigured to receive or read the updated software stored in memory 56of interface device 14 via the RF link.

In the described embodiment, memory 56 is configured to store eitherdata to be outputted to interrogator 26 or data received frominterrogator 26. Such data can include higher level data as describedpreviously.

Responsive to a predefined command entered utilizing command control 58,interrogator 26 is operable to monitor the radio frequency (RF) powerintermediate interface device 14 and interrogator 26. RF power meter 60is configured to measure the RF field strength of antennas ofinterrogator 26. Such an interface device 14 is configured to verifyantenna installations of interrogator 26. The information can bedetermined utilizing RF power meter 60 and dedicated antenna 62.Interrogator 26 can instruct RF power meter 60 to monitor the powerlevel and display the results using display 54 responsive to anappropriate command from command control 58. Further, interrogator 26can adjust communications responsive to data received from meter 60.Interface device 14 can also be configured to transfer large amounts ofdata to/from interrogator 26 via a wireless medium utilizing transponderof integrated circuit 19.

Referring to FIG. 9, a flow diagram is provided depicting operation ofinterrogator 26 within a normal mode and maintenance/calibration mode ofoperation in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

At step S10, interrogator 26 communicates with remote communicationdevices 12 during the normal operating mode. First level data regardingthe communications and/or interrogator status information can becollected within interrogator 26 during the normal mode of operation.Proceeding to step S12, interrogator 26 can determine whether aninterface device 14 is present. Interrogator 26 monitors for thepresence of the identification signal from interface device 14. Inparticular, interface device 14 is configured to output anidentification signal within the reply link responsive to receiving theforward link communication signal from interrogator 26. If no interfacedevices are detected at step S12, interrogator 26 continues to operatein the normal operating mode of step S10.

If an identification signal from a corresponding interface device 14 isdetected at step S12, interrogator 26 enters the maintenance/calibrationmodes of operation. Communications are established intermediate device14 and interrogator 26 following detection of device 14. In theillustrated operation of interrogator 26, interrogator 26 outputs ordownloads data to interface device 14 at step S14 responsive to theidentification signal or other detection of device 14. Such data caninclude higher level data such as tag data corresponding communicationswith remote communication devices 12, status information of interrogator26 (e.g., accumulation of first level data), etc.

Interrogator 26 is thereafter configured to request a command frominterface device 14 at step S16. As such, interrogator 26 can beconsidered to be controlled by interface device 14. Such operationillustrates operation of interrogator 26 as a slave during themaintenance/calibration modes of operation. At step S18, interrogator 26monitors whether interface device 14 has requested exiting of themaintenance mode of operation. Interrogator 26 returns to the normaloperating mode at step S10 if such a command is received. If an exitrequest is not detected, interrogator 26 proceeds to step S20 to processthe command received from interface device 14.

Thereafter, interrogator 26 proceeds to step S12 to determine whetherthe interface device 14 is still present within communications range.Alternatively, at step S18, the interrogator 26 can monitor for thepresence of a timeout condition wherein no command is received frominterface device 14. In a preferred embodiment, interrogator 26 isthereafter configured to return to normal operating mode S10 if asufficient period of inactivity occurs or an exit command from interfacedevice 14 is received. Interrogator 26 can communicate with device 12before and after communicating with device 14.

For other configurations (e.g., installations concerned about security),a hardware or software based switch could be utilized to provideinterrogator 26 into the maintenance/calibration mode of operation.

The present invention facilitates access to interrogators ofcommunication systems, such as electronic identification systems. Thisis important since the interrogators may be located in inaccessiblelocations. Further, the present invention avoids the need to disassemblethe interrogator (or the device wherein the interrogator is implemented)to establish a hard wire link with the interrogator. It is believed thatthe invention will reduce labor utilized to access interrogatorinformation, and simplify the maintenance/calibration modes of operationminimizing the need for specialized technicians. Further, the impactupon ongoing operations performed by the interrogator are minimizedthrough the use of non-invasive access techniques.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described inlanguage more or less specific as to structural and methodical features.It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited tothe specific features shown and described, since the means hereindisclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms ormodifications within the proper scope of the appended claimsappropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine ofequivalents.

1. A system comprising: a plurality of radio frequency identification(RFID) tags, wherein each of the plurality of RFID tags is affixed to arespective one of a plurality of items and stores a respectiveidentification number associated with the respective one of theplurality of items; an interrogator capable of operating in a normalfirst mode and a maintenance second mode, wherein during the first modethe interrogator is configured to wirelessly receive identificationnumbers from the plurality of RFID tags via a communication technique,and wherein during the second mode the interrogator is configured towirelessly transmit the identification numbers to a remote communicationdevice, and wherein the interrogator is capable of operating in thefirst mode without the remote communication device; and an interfacesystem comprising the remote communication device located remotely fromand coupled to a processing device, wherein the remote communicationdevice comprises wireless communication circuitry coupled to a firstprocessor to wirelessly receive the identification numbers from theinterrogator, the processing device being configured to output controlsignals to the interrogator, and the processing device comprises asecond processor to receive and store the identification numbersreceived from the remote communication device wireless communicationcircuitry configured to communicate wireless signals including at leastone of outputting data to the interrogator and receiving data from theinterrogator; and a command control coupled with the wirelesscommunication circuitry and being configured to output control signalsto control the selection of operation of the interrogator between thenormal mode and the maintenance mode .
 2. The system according to claim1 wherein the wireless communication circuitry and command control areimplemented within an interface device.
 3. The system according to claim1 further comprising memory coupled with the wireless communicationcircuitry and configured to store at least one of data to be outputtedand received data.
 4. The system according to claim 1, the processingdevice further comprising a display device coupled with the wirelesscommunication circuitry and configured to display data.
 5. The systemaccording to claim 1 further comprising an RF power meter configured tomonitor the power of wireless communications of the wirelesscommunication circuitry.
 6. The system according to claim 5 wherein theinterrogator is operable to receive data from the RF power meter andadjust communications responsive to the received data.
 7. A wirelesscommunication system comprising: at least one remote communicationdevice; an interrogator configured to output a forward link wirelesscommunication and receive a reply link wireless communication from theremote communication device responsive to the forward link wirelesscommunication; and a maintenance device configured to interface with theinterrogator using a wireless medium, the interrogator configured todetect the presence of the maintenance device and output data to themaintenance device responsive to the detection.
 8. A communicationmethod comprising: providing an interrogator and at least one remotecommunication device; communicating intermediate the interrogator andthe remote communication device; providing an interface device;detecting the presence of the interface device using the interrogator;reading control information from the interface device using theinterrogator; and communicating data between the interrogator and theinterface device responsive to the control information.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 8 further comprising displaying data using theinterface device.
 10. The method according to claim 8 further comprisingcommunicating information from the interrogator to the interface deviceresponsive to the detecting.
 11. The method according to claim 8 furthercomprising establishing communications intermediate the interrogator andthe interface device responsive to the detecting.
 12. The methodaccording to claim 8 further comprising: monitoring RF power ofcommunications intermediate the interface device and the interrogator;and adjusting communication power of the interrogator responsive to themonitoring.
 13. The method according to claim 8 further comprisingstoring data corresponding to at least one of the interrogator and theremote communication device using the interrogator.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 8 wherein the communicating intermediate theinterrogator and interface device comprises communicating using awireless medium.
 15. The method according to claim 8 wherein thecommunicating with the remote communication device comprisescommunicating before and after the communicating with the interfacedevice.
 16. The method according to claim 8 wherein the communicatingdata with the interface device comprises reading data regarding thecommunications of the interrogator and the remote communication devicefrom the interrogator.
 17. The method according to claim 8 wherein thecommunicating data with the interface device comprises writing dataconfigured to control communications with the remote communicationdevices to the interrogator.
 18. The method according to claim 8 whereinthe communicatings comprise communicatings using backscattercommunications.
 19. The method according to claim 8 wherein thecommunicating data comprises at least one of writing data to theinterrogator and reading data from the interrogator.
 20. The methodaccording to claim 8 wherein the communicating data comprises readinginterrogator status information from the interrogator.
 21. The methodaccording to claim 8 wherein the providing the interface devicecomprises coupling a processing device with a remote communicationdevice.
 22. A communication method comprising: providing an interrogatorand at least one remote communication device; communicating intermediatethe interrogator and the remote communication device; providing aninterface device; detecting the presence of the interface device usingthe interrogator; and communicating data intermediate the interrogatorand the interface device responsive to the detecting.
 23. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the RFID tags are configured to communicate with theinterrogator using backscatter communication.
 24. The system of claim23, wherein the RFID tags are configured to communicate with theinterrogator using phase shift keying (PSK) modulation.
 25. The systemof claim 1, wherein the interrogator is located in a generally fixedposition, and the plurality of RFID tags generally move in and out of afield of the interrogator.
 26. The system of claim 1, wherein each ofthe plurality of RFID tags includes visual identification features andidentifying text.
 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the interrogatoris configured to determine information from the RFID tags using light.28. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication technique is spreadspectrum.
 29. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote communicationdevice is powered separately from the processing device and is poweredusing an external power source.
 30. The system of claim 1, wherein theprocessing device is configured to interface with a plurality of remotecommunication devices via a bi-directional digital data port.
 31. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the interrogator includes memory storingapplications corresponding to a plurality of RFID communication methods.32. The system of claim 1, wherein the interrogator and the remotecommunication device are configured to communicate at a center frequencyof approximately 2.44 GHz.
 33. The system of claim 1, wherein thecontrol signals cause the interrogator to respond.
 34. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the control signals enable the interrogator to beremotely operated by the interface system.
 35. A communication methodcomprising: providing an interrogator, an interface device, and at leastone radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, wherein the RFID tagstores an identification number associated with an object or person andwherein the interface device comprises a wireless communication devicecoupled to a computer via a bidirectional data port, the computercomprising a processing device; communicating intermediate theinterrogator and the RFID tag, wherein the interrogator is capable ofdetermining the identification number stored in the RFID tag withoutpresence of the interface device; detecting the presence of theinterface device using the interrogator; sending control signals fromthe processing device to the interrogator; communicating dataintermediate the interrogator and the interface device, following thedetecting the presence of the interface device, the communicating of thedata comprising wirelessly transmitting the identification number fromthe interrogator to the interface device; and storing the identificationnumber on the computer.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the wirelesscommunication device is powered by an external power source separatelyfrom the processing device.
 37. The method of claim 35, furthercomprising interfacing between the processing device and a plurality ofwireless communication devices.
 38. The method of claim 35, furthercomprising affecting communications between the interrogator and theinterface device using the control signals.
 39. The method of claim 38,further comprising affecting communications between the interrogator andthe RFID tag using the control signals.
 40. A system comprising: atleast one radio frequency identification (RFID) tag affixed to an itemand storing an identification number associated with the item, whereinthe RFID tag includes a single integrated circuit (IC) coupled to adipole antenna, the single IC comprising a backscatter modulatorconfigured to modulate a reflectivity of the dipole antenna; aninterface system comprising a communication device and a computer,wherein the communication device is coupled to the computer and isconfigured for wireless communication, and wherein the computer isconfigured to receive and store information associated with the RFIDtag; and an interrogator configured to determine the identificationnumber by controlling communication with the RFID tag, and comprising afirst antenna to communicate with the RFID tag and a second antenna tocommunicate with the interface system, wherein the computer isconfigured to send control signals to the interrogator, and theinterrogator is capable of determining the identification number absentthe communication device.
 41. The system of claim 40, wherein the RFIDtag is configured to communicate with the interrogator using phase shiftkeying (PSK) modulation.
 42. The system of claim 40, wherein theinterrogator is located in a generally fixed position, and the RFID tagmoves through a field of the interrogator.
 43. The system of claim 40,wherein the interrogator is configured to transmit and receive light todetermine information from the RFID tag.
 44. The system of claim 40,wherein the interrogator is configured to communicate with the RFID tagusing spread spectrum.
 45. The system of claim 40, wherein thecommunication device is located remotely from the computer.
 46. Thesystem of claim 45, wherein the interface system comprises a pluralityof communication devices located remotely from and coupled to thecomputer.
 47. The system of claim 46, wherein each of the plurality ofcommunication devices is coupled to the computer via a bi-directionaldigital data port.
 48. The system of claim 47, wherein the first andsecond antennas are used to transmit wireless signals.
 49. The system ofclaim 40, wherein the interrogator includes memory storing a pluralityof RFID communication applications.
 50. The system of claim 49, whereinthe interrogator is configured to receive and store an RFIDcommunication application update from the interface system.
 51. Thesystem of claim 40, wherein the RFID tag includes a battery.
 52. Thesystem of claim 40, wherein the first and second antennas are used totransmit wireless signals.
 53. The system of claim 40, wherein thecommunication device is powered separately from the computer using anexternal power source.
 54. The system of claim 40, wherein the controlsignals are to stimulate the interrogator.
 55. The system of claim 40,wherein the control signals are to enable the interrogator tocommunicate data with the interface system.
 56. A system comprising: atleast one radio frequency identification (RFID) tag affixed to an itemor person and storing an identification number associated with the itemor person, wherein the RFID tag includes a dipole antenna and isconfigured to modulate a reflectivity of the dipole antenna; aninterface system comprising a communication device and a computercomprising a processing device, wherein the communication device iscoupled to the computer via a bi-directional digital data port andcomprises a processor and wireless communication circuitry; and aninterrogator configured to communicate with the RFID tag to determinethe identification number, wherein the interrogator is capable ofcommunicating with the RFID tag without the interface system, whereinthe interrogator comprises a first RF transmit port configured totransmit a continuous wave RF signal for the RFID tag to modulate bymodulating the reflectivity of the dipole antenna, a second RF transmitport configured to wirelessly transmit data, including theidentification number, to the interface system, and a memory, andwherein the processing device is configured to output control signals tothe interrogator.
 57. The system of claim 56, wherein the interrogatoris configured to receive a light signal.
 58. The system of claim 57,wherein a plurality of RFID communication applications are stored in theinterrogator.
 59. The system of claim 57, wherein the interrogator isconfigured to implement spread spectrum in communication with the RFIDtag.
 60. The system of claim 59 wherein the spread spectrum is directsequence.
 61. The system of claim 56, wherein the communication deviceis powered separately from the processing device and is powered using anexternal power source.
 62. The system of claim 56, wherein theprocessing device is configured to interface with a plurality ofcommunication devices via a bi-directional digital data port.
 63. Thesystem of claim 56, wherein the control signals are to allow theinterface system to act as a master to control communication operationsbetween the interface system and the interrogator.
 64. A methodcomprising: providing a plurality of radio frequency identification(RFID) tags and a plurality of items to be tracked in an inventorymanagement process, wherein each of the plurality of RFID tags isaffixed to a respective one of the plurality of items and stores arespective identification number associated with the respective one ofthe plurality of items; providing an interface system comprising aremote communication device coupled to a computer; determining theidentification numbers stored in the plurality of RFID tags using aninterrogator to which the identification numbers are unknown, includingsending commands from the interrogator to the plurality of RFID tags andreceiving the identification numbers in response to the commands,wherein the interrogator is capable of controlling communication withthe plurality of RFID tags in absence of the interface system; detectingthe presence of the remote communication device wirelessly using theinterrogator, wherein the computer is configured to output controlsignals to the interrogator; wirelessly transmitting the identificationnumbers from the interrogator to the remote communication device, afterdetecting presence of the remote communication device; and receiving andstoring the identification numbers using the computer.
 65. The method ofclaim 64, further comprising providing the interrogator in a generallyfixed position, and moving the plurality of RFID tags through a field ofthe interrogator.
 66. The method of claim 64, further comprisingreceiving and interpreting a light signal at the interrogator.
 67. Themethod of claim 66, wherein the interface system comprises a pluralityof remote communication devices coupled to the computer via abi-directional digital data port.
 68. The method of claim 67, furthercomprising communicating between the computer and the remotecommunication device via the bi-directional digital data port.
 69. Themethod of claim 68, wherein sending commands from the interrogator tothe plurality of RFID tags comprises using a first antenna, andwirelessly transmitting the identification numbers from the interrogatorto the remote communication device comprises using a second antenna. 70.The method of claim 69, wherein sending commands from the interrogatorto the plurality of RFID tags comprises the use of spread spectrumcommunication.
 71. The method of claim 70, wherein determining theidentification numbers stored in the plurality of RFID tags comprisesusing one of a plurality of RFID communication applications stored in amemory of the interrogator.
 72. The method of claim 64, whereindetermining the identification numbers stored in the plurality of RFIDtags comprises using one of a plurality of communication applicationsstored in a memory of the interrogator, and further comprising theinterrogator receiving and storing a software code update from theinterface system.
 73. The method of claim 64, wherein sending commandsfrom the interrogator to the plurality of RFID tags comprises the use ofspread spectrum communication.
 74. The method of claim 64, furthercomprising powering the remote communication device separately from thecomputer using an external power source.
 75. The method of claim 64,further comprising a user of the interface system selecting the controlsignals.
 76. A method for managing inventory, comprising: sending acommand via a first RF transmitter port of an interrogator to a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag followed by a continuous wave RFsignal, comprising the use of a communication technique; transmitting anidentification number from the RFID tag to the interrogator, includingmodulating a reflection of the continuous wave RF signal by modulating areflectivity of a dipole antenna of the RFID tag; detecting a presenceof a remote communication device wirelessly using the interrogator,wherein the interrogator is capable of communicating with the RFID tagwithout the remote communication device; transmitting the identificationnumber via a second RF transmitter port of the interrogator to theremote communication device, after detecting presence of the remotecommunication device; sending the identification number from the remotecommunication device to a processing device coupled to the remotecommunication device via a bi-directional digital data port, wherein theprocessing device is configured to output control signals to theinterrogator; and storing the identification number using the processingdevice.
 77. The method of claim 76, further comprising communicatinginformation between the interrogator and the RFID tag using a lightsignal.
 78. The method of claim 77, wherein detecting the presence ofthe remote communication device further comprises wirelesslytransmitting an identification signal from the remote communicationdevice to the interrogator, the identification signal identifying theremote communication device.
 79. The method of claim 78, wherein sendingthe command is performed in accordance with one of a plurality of RFIDcommunication applications stored in a memory of the interrogator. 80.The method of claim 76, wherein sending the command is performed inaccordance with one of a plurality of RFID communication applicationsstored in a memory of the interrogator.
 81. The system of claim 76,wherein the communication technique includes spread spectrum.
 82. Themethod of claim 76, wherein the remote communication device is poweredseparately from the processing device and is powered using an externalpower source.
 83. The method of claim 76, wherein the processing deviceis configured to interface with a plurality of remote communicationdevices.
 84. The method of claim 76, wherein the control signals aresent to affect communications between the interrogator and the RFID tag.85. The method of claim 76, wherein the control signals are sent toaffect communications between the interrogator and the remotecommunication device.